Foundation laid for education and development center in Khanbogd soum

FOUNDATION LAID FOR EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN KHANBOGD SOUM

On 18 September 2026, construction of the “Education and Development Center” officially commenced. The center is designed to create new opportunities for children and young people in Khanbogd  to learn, develop their skills, and enjoy meaningful leisure activities.

The center will include classrooms and laboratories, workshops, an after-school care area, a public library, shared office spaces, a dining hall, and a dedicated development room for children with special needs. Open to all children, the center is designed to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for learning and development. The center and its surrounding infrastructure, including roads, outdoor areas and landscaping, have been planned as an integrated child-friendly design with the principles of safety and accessibility.

The two-storey reinforced concrete center will have a total floor area of 1,587 square meters and will accomodate up to 350 children at a time. The project is being financed by “Oyu Tolgoi Catalyst Fund for Khanbogd Development”, while the land has been provided by the Khanbogd soum’s Governers Office.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, M. Tseveenravdan, Governor of Khanbogd soum, said: “The developments taking place in Khanbogd are about more than just new buildings and infrastructure. They are also helping strengthen important social sectors such as education and healthcare. The “Gobi Oyu Development Support Fund” and the “Oyu Tolgoi Catalyst Fund for Khanbogd Development” have been long-standing partners in supporting the soum’s growth. Recognising the need to create more opportunities for children to learn and develop, the soum put forward this initiative, which was endorsed by the Partnership Committee. Today, we are pleased to see the construction of the “Education and Development Center” officially begin. I would like to thank all our partner organizations and stakeholders who have contributed to making this project possible.”

1. Enkhjargal, Director of the Umnugovi Province’s Education Department, emphasized: “I am pleased to see the establishment of a comprehensive center that supports children’s devlopment and wellbeing and sets a benchmark for similar facilities across Mongolia. I am confident that this center will provide children with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop the skills they need to make meaningful contributions to Mongolia’s future.”
2. Dulamsuren, Managing Director, Rio Tinto Mongolia, highlighted: “This project is an important inverstment in Khanbogd’s next generation. Through the doors of this center, future engineers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs and scientists, and perhaps even a future CEO of Oyu Tolgoi will take their first steps toward achieving their dreams. Most importantly, it will provide a welcoming environment where every child can explore their interests, develop their talents and build confidence in their future.”
3. Khaliun, Executive Director, Oyu Tolgoi Catalyst Fund, emphasized: “The Fund’s vision is to help make Khanbogd a place where families want to live, raise their children, and build their future, a community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. To support this vision, Oyu Tolgoi and Rio Tinto have invested in a wide range of projects, including roads, infrastructure, sports facilities, education, and urban development. Turning these plans into reality has only been possible through the active involvement and collaboration of local leaders, educators and community members. The “Education and Development Center” we are launching today is another important investment in Khanbogd’s future.”

As Khanbogd continues to grow and develop, the need for quality educational and developmental spaces for children and young people has been increasing. The “Education and Development Center” will help meet this demand by providing an environment where children and youth can spend their free time productively, apply what they have learned in practice, and discover and develop their interests and talents.